DEMS, ON TOP MONTHS AGO, START TO SHAKE - AT 10:45 A.M. ET:  From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON — Three of the five Congressional committees working on legislation to reinvent the nation’s health care system delivered bills this week along the lines proposed by President Obama. But instead of celebrating their success, many Democrats were apprehensive, nervous and defensive.

Even as Democratic leaders and the White House insisted that the nation was closer than ever to landmark changes in the health care system, they faced basic questions about whether some of their proposals might do more harm than good.

And...

Democrats had three reasons for concern. The director of the Congressional Budget Office warned Thursday that the legislative proposals so far would not slow the growth of health spending...

...Second, even with House committees working in marathon sessions this week, it was clear that Democrats could not meet their goal of passing bills before the summer recess without barreling over the concerns of Republicans and ending any hope that such a major issue could be addressed in a bipartisan manner.

Third, a growing minority of Democrats have begun to express reservations about the size, scope and cost of the legislation, the expanded role of the federal government and the need for a raft of new taxes to pay for it all. The comments suggest that party leaders may not yet have the votes to pass the legislation.

COMMENT:  And what is President Obama's reaction to all this?  Why, push on.  The president apparently misread the election laws and thinks he was elected for one year, rather than four. 

And push on with cap 'n trade.  Hey, who cares about the facts.

And push on with the stimulus, although it's bankrupting the country.

And push on with engagement with Iran, even though they may be within six months of a nuclear bomb.

If most Americans knew this is what the Obama administration would be, do you think they would have voted Obama into office?  Don't expect The New York Times to raise the question.

July 18, 2009